Why would they change? Eh?
Two of the biggest games of the year – one of which was probably the best game of the year – passed by with just over 37,000 Gaels getting the pleasure of enjoying them.
As provincial games in this era go, you don’t get much bigger than an Ulster semi-final – especially two that ended in a draw the first day out.
But the scheduling for the replayed clashes between Donegal and Monaghan and between Cavan and Tyrone left television channels hamstrung.
Donegal’s thrilling victory took place on Saturday night at 7pm, clashing with Cork and Dublin’s hurling battle.
Tyrone’s dismantling of Cavan – which included absolute magic from Peter Harte – went ahead at 4pm on Sunday, going toe-to-toe with the Munster football final (2pm) and the Leinster hurling final (3.30pm).
As it was, Ulster’s scheduling of the fixtures left TV with no option but to go ahead with their original plans and have no means of squeezing in extra games for the viewers at home. And the world of social media were not happy. Of course.
It's a joke that neither Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final can be watched live on TV. @RTEgaa @bbcchampionship
— Tony Mc Cann (@TonyThePonyyy) July 2, 2016
Their loss.
Gaa have really missed out on promoting the quality Gaa matches by not sorting these Ulster replays to b live on TV #Gaa
— Peter O'Leary (@poleary7) July 2, 2016
Was the public’s interests really the most important thing?
Gaa signed the deal with sky for us, to bring d games to as many as possible. Now Ulster semi finals wnt be seen on TV at all. Cheers lads
— Liam Coyle (@Liamgaoith) July 1, 2016
Why’s poor Joe getting the flak?
@JoeBrolly1993 disgrace that none off the ulster semis replays on TV ! Shambles from the great rte give sky the rights so we can see matches
— me (@devlin434) June 29, 2016
TG4 did some job of the league in fairness.
@RTEOne unbelievable that either ulster semi-finals aint on tv this w.end.couldnt @tg4 have the rights for any replays that ya's dont show?
— Smithboro jerseys (@Jamescroarkin22) June 29, 2016
The struggle is real.
No ulster championship on the tv this weekend. Reminds me of last year trying to get a pub in Donegal to see it #GAA pic.twitter.com/DqTer16XB9
— MFC (@mfc_sports) July 2, 2016
Let’s not turn this into a race issue…
How the Donegal Monaghan game is not live on some TV channel is beyond belief! Ulster the poor relations yet again. #makesnosense
— Joe Canavan (@joecanavan90) July 2, 2016
Too late.
https://twitter.com/Shaun_McCready/status/749606371335614464
Even the Dubs enjoy Ulster football.
Ciaran whelan just said thank god for ulster football but tv refuse to show it! Only competitive province!
— Eamon Doherty (@eamondoc75) July 3, 2016
Madness.
https://twitter.com/jboy200/status/749536833613225984
https://twitter.com/Big_A89/status/749591286991187968
https://twitter.com/lennon_gus/status/749595930178060288
As it was, Donegal edged out a ding-dong encounter in Breffni Park with the minimum to spare over last year’s Ulster champions. Tyrone and Cavan served up seven goals – both games producing a total of 71 scores. 71.
And not one was televised.
It’s not the first time it’s happened. Schedules aren’t often changed to suit the masses and, famously, Derry and Donegal fans had to miss the end of Ireland’s World Cup second round clash with Spain in 2002 – and extra time and penalties of course – to go sit in the Clones rain and watch a drab Ulster game that could’ve been moved back an hour at least without offence.
SportsJOE contacted Ulster GAA to query why neither game last weekend was moved to suit TV schedules and here was their reply:
“We are delighted with the response to our two Ulster Senior Football Championship semi final replays at the weekend with over 37,000 spectators in attendance at the games.
“The attendances at both games showed increases on the the drawn matches, which is a great credit to all counties involved in the games.
“The venues & times for both fixtures were decided upon by Ulster CCCC after consultation with all stakeholders on event control & traffic management perspectives.”
That’s that cleared up then.
